Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast: Common Birds, Crabs, Shells, Fish, and Other Entities of the Coastal Environment [Paperback]

Peter Meyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1991

An entertaining, practical, reader-friendly guide to common plants, animals, and the physical environment of the NC/SC coast. Fully illustrated -- over 100 color photographs, plus additional diagrams and drawings with in-depth information on each subject. A beachcomber's handbook, a valuable companion for seaside explorers of all ages. Scientifically accurate, yet written in language the lay public can understand.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A neat little manual that explains in clear, concise terms what our coast is like....the text is simple, but not simpleminded. -- Carolina Adventure

Coastal residents, visitors, fishermen, or anyone who enjoys walking along the beach watching the birds and waves will find this a practical, reader-friendly guide. -- SC Wildlife

Don't visit the beach without it. -- The Coastal Carolinian

One of the most useful and practical guides to the North and South Carolina coast. -- The Island Packet, Hilton Head

The type of guide most of us have been waiting for. -- Brunswick Beacon

This book deserves to find its way into many beach-bound suitcases. -- The State

From the Publisher

55,000 plus copies sold to date.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Avian-Cetacean Pr; Revised 1998 edition (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962818607
• ISBN-13: 978-0962818608
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Field Guides > Fish

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly accurate with astonishing photos, January 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast: Common Birds, Crabs, Shells, Fish, and Other Entities of the Coastal Environment (Paperback)

For the past four years I have had a place at the beach. Dr. Meyer's book has become our bible. Using it, shells, shorebirds and seaside flora are easily identified by my family, friends and renters. Being an amateur photographer, I am in total awe of the skill of the other physician who took the pictures.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Serviceable and Entertaining, May 19, 2004

By 

C. Ebeling "ctlpareader" (PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast: Common Birds, Crabs, Shells, Fish, and Other Entities of the Coastal Environment (Paperback)

My goal in purchasing this book, which pulls together information about birds, shells, dune plants, and fish was to be able to pack one slim volume instead of the bag of field guides I usually took to the Outer Banks. After two trips to North Carolina in the last year, I have found that I still need to carry a couple of other references because this is not comprehensive in any one of its categories--and how could it be at 148 pages? However, Meyer's guide does manage to cover many of the specimens commonly found along the Carolina coast. Furthermore, it is written in a graceful voice that keeps you reading long after you've put a name to the beastie you found on the beach. It is not childish or simple at all, but it can be used by the entire family. It stirs wonder.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Some SERIOUS problems in the plates, otherwise ok, August 6, 2002

By 

D. J Stemke "Argo" (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast: Common Birds, Crabs, Shells, Fish, and Other Entities of the Coastal Environment (Paperback)

Overall an ok book for a beginner. If you come into this as a naturalist you will likely be disapointed. There are some other serious problems that I was able to spot straight out.

Plate 40. "Auger Shells" One of the 'augers' is not only NOT an auger and it's not even from the Carolinas at all. It's the Common Vertagus (a certh) from the Indo-Pacific (likely from the Philippines).

Plate 54. "Oyster Drills". Contains several Murexes in addition to the drills.

Plate 59. Sundials. The figured Sundial is not The American Sundial (Architectonica nobilis) but rather the Clear Sundial (Architectonica perspectiva) also from the Indo-Pacific.

The substitution of shells from the other side of the world really shows sloppy work in this guide. The other major problem I have with the book is that it just isn't complete enough; it only shows a small fraction of the plants and animals that one finds on Carolina coasts. The naturalist who trys to depend on this book will likely be frustrated and will find that they need other guides. As an introduction for a beginner it is ok, short the above noted plate problems.